The Grounds Management Association has been shortlisted for the Sport Industry Group’s Data & Insights Award.
The GMA joins some big industry names such as British Curling, Formula E, and The FA on the shortlist for the award that recognises organisations that are using data, combined with relevant expertise, insight, and understanding, to improve business performance and/or consumer experience.
The nomination relates to the GMA’s development of the PitchPower app, developed in partnership with the Football Foundation, and the way in which the GMA uses key data and insights collected from both PitchPower and in-person pitch assessments to continue to drive the success of the programme.
On being shortlisted for the award, the Pitch Advisory Service management team said:
"We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Data and Insights Award. Data collection and analysis has always been a key part of the success of the Pitch Advisory Service. Being shortlisted for this award gives real credence to the hard work that has gone into getting us to this point."
Having initially launched for football in 2020, the multisport version of the PitchPower app was released last year, after working closely with National Governing Bodies ECB, RFL, and RFU. This new release will benefit cricket, rugby league, and rugby union.
Thousands of volunteers across the country use the PitchPower app to expedite collected pitch assessment data, which is the entry point into the Sport England and Football Foundation funding, leading to numerous improved pitches across England.
Further development of the PitchPower app has enabled a rise in the number of total pitch assessments, which have increased from 1,068 to 7,144 per year. This has led to more pitches being improved and in a quicker time compared to when visits were conducted in person by the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service Regional Pitch Advisors.
The vast number of pitches assessed has led to over 1,800 community clubs receiving vital funding, leading to 86% of assessed pitches noting an improvement.
The PitchPower app increases investment in grassroots pitches and provides a sustainable funding approach.
Following the nomination, GMA CEO, Geoff Webb said:
"Being shortlisted for the Sports Industry Awards Data and Insights category is a great achievement and is testament to the skills and hard work of the GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service."
To find out more about the Sport Industry Awards, visit: https://www.sportindustry.biz/